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Title
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Third Year of Yanguang Shuyan Office Crossbow Mechanism
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Collection Location
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Shanghai Museum
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Date
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Eastern Han Dynasty, 124CE
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Location
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China
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Description
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This crossbow mechanism held by the Shanghai museum is dated to 124CE. The specific location of its unearthing is not listed.
The mechanism is made of bronze and it comprises most of the typical parts of a Chinese crossbow mechanism. The long rectangular protrusion at the top of the mechanism is the sight, or wangshan (望山). The two small hooks sticking out in front of the sight are a part of the same component as the wangshan and serve as the nut, or ya (牙). The rectangular handle at the bottom of the mechanism is the trigger, or xuandao (悬刀), and within the bronze casing, or guo (郭) there is a sear, or gouxin (钩心) connecting the sight and nut and the trigger. The mechanism is held together by two bronze axle pins. The top surface of the bronze casing has a groove that goes down the middle of its top surface which would continue onto the wooden stock of the crossbow. This groove would be where the arrow rests during drawing and aiming.
It is not visible from the photo, but given the museum title that provides details about the specific date and origin of the crossbow mechanism (being of the Shuyan office and from the third year of the Yanguang reign title), there might be an inscription on the crossbow mechanism that is indicative of this information.
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Source
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Shanghai Museum
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Measurements not listed
